The Arizona State football team kicks off fall camp on Wednesday. The Sun Devils are heading into the second year of the coach Kenny Dillingham era and looking to improve on the injury-plagued 2023 campaign in which they went 3-9 overall and 2-7 in the final year of the Pac-12.
It’s a new year and a new conference with ASU, along with Arizona, Utah and Colorado, now part of the Big 12.
Let’s take a look at 10 players we’ll be watching as camp gets underway.
S Xavion Alford (6-0, 200)
The lowdown: Alford is in his second year in the program, although he has yet to play a game. As a two-time NCAA transfer the NCAA ruled Alford ineligible so he had to sit out, only to have the NCAA recently change course on its rules regarding multiple transfers. Alford spent 2020 at Texas and 2021 and 2022 at USC, missing the 2022 season with an injury.
Why we’re watching him: The Texas native has not played in two years. Last year many thought he was the best player in the secondary even if he didn’t play and was relegated to scout team duty so his availability this season is looked at as a bonus. He is also viewed as one of the team leaders, evidenced by his selection to represent the school at the recent Big 12 Media Day in Las Vegas.
OT Emmit Bohle (6-7, 320)
The lowdown: Bohle is one of the veterans of the ASU offense, now starting his third year in the program. Before heading to Tempe the South Dakota native was a two-year starter at Division II Northern State University, making the conversion from tight end to offensive line while there.
Why we’re watching him: Bohle was one of the victims of the injury bug that plagued the team a year ago as he sustained a broken leg in the second game of the season against Oklahoma State. He has said he wants to play in the NFL so he had to come back this season to get back on the radar of NFL scouts. His veteran presence will be a big help for a unit that has had some turnover. He was playing well at the end of the 2022 campaign so it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to regain that form after such a serious injury.
RB Raleek Brown (5-8, 185)
The lowdown: Brown is a transfer who played two seasons at USC, contributing in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2022 with 227 rushing yards on 42 carries with three touchdowns while also catching 16 passes for 175 yards. He moved to wide receiver last season but appeared in just two games with three catches for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Why we’re watching him: The Sun Devils were too dependent on Cameron Skattebo last season and that wore on him by the end of the season. Brown should serve as a good complimentary weapon out of the backfield. He boasts the breakaway speed Skattebo doesn’t quite have but like Skattebo, Brown can also catch the ball so he will add an explosive dynamic that was missing. He’s also one of three Browns, sophomore Kyson Brown and true freshman Jason Brown are the others — both of whom are also running backs. Let the name confusion begin.
DL Jeff Clark (6-0, 280)
The lowdown: Clark is a transfer from Louisville where he played one season in a reserve capacity recording 14 tackles and two tackles for a loss. Before that, he was at Georgia State for three years where he had nine career sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss.
Why we’re watching him: ASU has had some good fortune with defensive linemen in the transfer portal. Think Nesta Jade Silvera and Dashaun Mallory as of late. Clark could be the next in line of impact transfers after a solid showing in the spring. This is another position in which the Sun Devils are considerably deeper than they were a year ago.
TE Markeston Douglas (6-4, 285)
The lowdown: Douglas comes to ASU after two seasons at Florida State where he caught 11 passes for 136 yards in 2023 in helping the Seminoles to an undefeated season and a victory in the ACC Championship game. The native of Brownsville, Texas was the fifth-highest-graded tight end in the ACC by Pro Football Focus and had the third-highest grade among conference tight ends as a pass blocker.
Why we’re watching him: This is the biggest question mark position with no tight end on the roster who has caught a pass for the Sun Devils. The team graduated one, lost two to transfer including top star Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech) and had another quit the sport so reinforcements were much needed. Douglas was one of those. The other keys are Cameron Harpole (San Diego State) and Chamon Metayer (Colorado). The Sun Devils are going to need someone from this position group to emerge as a major contributor.
LB Keyshaun Elliot (6-3, 225)
The lowdown: The Richmond, Missouri native comes to ASU after two years at New Mexico State. He played in all 12 games as a freshman in 2022 and then last season led the Aggies and was 30th in the FBS with 111 total tackles in helping the school to its first 10-win season since 1960, just its sixth bowl appearance ever and a spot in the Conference USA Championship Game.
Why we’re watching him: ASU was thin at linebacker last season and graduated the steadying component there in Travion Brown. They needed to add athletes with Division I playing time under their belts. Elliott fits that profile, as does Zyrus Fiaseu (San Diego State). This is another position that has improved considerably when it comes to depth.
DL C.J. Fite (6-2, 315)
The lowdown: Fite saw considerable playing time last season as a true freshman out of necessity, recording 15 tackles, a breakup and a fumble recovery. That experience should serve him well moving forward. He seemed to build on that…
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